Senior Technical Specialist

Sheffield Hallam University; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Senior Technical Specialist to support the Centre for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. You will play a crucial role in enabling advanced research in human-centered AI and robotics, requiring strong expertise in robotics, programming, and experimental evaluation. Responsibilities include providing technical support, managing robotic platforms, and contributing to project designs. Ideal candidates are organized and motivated, possessing experience with social robots and contributing to innovative projects in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting research activities with robotic platforms.
• Experience with social robots like Care-o-bot, ARI, Furhat, Pepper, and Temi.
• Strong organizational and motivation skills.

Responsibilities

• Support students and staff in using specialized hardware and software.
• Contribute to experimental design and implementation.
• Ensure maintenance of robotic hardware and software interfaces.

Skills

Expertise in AI methodologies and applications to robotics

Robot programming, including ROS

Experimental evaluation with human participants

Experience with socially interacting robots

Line management experience

Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Tools

ROS

Proprietary robot operating systems

Job description

Here at Sheffield Hallam University we are recruiting a Senior Technical Specialist with expertise in AI and robotics to support research, innovation, knowledge exchange, skills training and other practical teaching activities.

Sheffield Hallam is a university of purpose: we transform lives. Our ambition is clear and bold – to be a world‑leading applied university through the real‑world impact we have on our students and society. In this role you would make a vital contribution by providing highly skilled technical support, with a primary focus of enabling the Centre for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CEAIR) to fulfil its mission of establishing Sheffield as a leading centre for ethical, human‑centred AI and collaborative robotics.

CEAIR is an exciting new research centre within the School of Computing and Digital Technologies that builds on our world‑leading expertise in Embodied AI research and innovation. The School has an excellent track record in attracting external funding for this research, examples of which are shown on the Research Projects page of the School’s website.

In this role you would directly support our students and staff to use specialist hardware and software, facilitating the use of state‑of‑the‑art technologies and research methods including:

• Use of AI methodologies and their applications to robotics
• Robot programming, including use of ROS and proprietary robot operating systems
• Experimental evaluation, including studies with human participants

You will have previous experience in supporting research activities working with various robotic platforms that share spaces with humans. Robotic platforms that you will support include socially interacting robots such as Care‑o‑bot, ARI, Furhat, Pepper and Temi social robot. You will contribute to externally funded projects, experimental design and implementation, software maintenance and use of the robots. You will help create and maintain software interfaces, tailored to the user’s needs, and ensure that robotic hardware is maintained in safe working order, liaising with manufacturers/engineers as required.

As Senior Technical Specialist, you would also provide line management for a small number of staff and, as part of the local management group(s), contribute more widely to the leadership and management of technical staff and facilities. You will be expected to work flexibly and to develop new skills as required to support team objectives and emerging research needs.

You will be well organised, highly motivated and meticulous in your work, with a professional work ethic and ability to work both independently and collaboratively across team boundaries, sharing skills and expertise to ensure customer‑focussed results.